Top o’ Selside

• Superb views up Coniston
• Undulating and interesting ridge
• Pretty lakeside beaches

Access to the summit of Top o’ Selside seems to be more straightforward than it was in the days Wainwright described it. here is a good path through the forestry and although the track that returns over the higher points of the ridge is undulating there is no real need to battle through the bogs, heather and bracken that Wainwright so passionately describes. However this is still an unfrequented spot, being right at the foot of Coniston with only an Outward Bound Centre for company (and their priority are the lovely stretches of beach on the lakeside rather than pushing for the nearest summit) but it does cove a fair bit of area. The artist Heaton Cooper enjoyed this area with a shot over Arnsbarrow Tarn being in his more famous collection – certainly the views from the summit and most areas of the west facing slopes being superb. In particular the view of the Coniston Fells is unsurpassed anywhere in the Lake District and makes this a walk worth doing at any time.

Recommend: Do the full circuit as described, the quick up and down from the car park does little justice to the fell.

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© Crown copyright 2010 Ordnance Survey. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

OS Map:	O/S 1.25,000. OL6 The English Lakes South western area
Start Point:	296909. There is parking 3/4 mile north of High Nibthwaite. The signpost presently does not exist however so keep your eyes peeled. Head diagonally up the path above in the trees and ignore the sign for poaching!
Terrain:	The paths are fine on the fell itslef but a bit mucky in their lower reaches
Eating & Drinking:	Nothing. Lowick Bridge has an untested pub 3 miles south of High Nibthwaite
Similar Walks Nearby:	Beatrix Potter Country Woodland Fell via Beacon Tarn Latterbarrow & Hawkshead
Places to Stay: